The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1887-01-14
THE ELoPEMENT.
A Legend Of tho Shore.

lt was my good fortune to spend
the happy summers OF my youthful
days IN an old seaport town, whose
glory has long since departed. Its
last decaying wharves had once echoed
to the tread OF busy feet, and many
very stately ships had been moored
beside them.
Now, as in my childhood days, no
proud ships finds a haven in the still
waters OF its harbor; it's deserted ship
yards ring no more with the sound OF
axe or hammer; the busy hum of COM
merce IS stilled, and u silence, broken
only by the fisherman's call, or the
merry laughter ofsome yachting party,
pervades what was once very busy,
thriving place.
But commerce has left traces of
wealth behind, and l remember some
old fashioned, though stately houses,
standing near the shore.
These were the homes of some of
New England's famous sea captains,
and in one OF these old houses passed
those happy summer days
The men OF the family had all been
sailors commanding some ofthe finest
and best known American ships No
ports had been too distant for them,
and they had brought home, as gifts.
spoils from every Cline Now, all
dead and gone, the women OF the fami-
ly lived alone, surrounded by treas
ures from over the sea.
The old friend who had charge OF us
was very fond OF children, and was
never happier than when relating to
us the stories OF sea and shore, with
which her mind was stored and when
rainy day came, driving us from
the beach, welikednothing better than
to listen to her charming legends.
l will repeat to you as nearly as
can remember, the story OF the
elopement that took place many
years ago. AS recall it, l seem to
hear again the musical voice, long
since hushed, to which thesnapping OF
the wood fire upon the hearth, and the
distant booming OF the surf upon the
beach, formed fitting accompani-
ment
A long timesa ago, when l was little
girl the events happened thatsX am
about to relate to you. My gland
mother knew all about it, and 1often
heard her tell the story to the young
folks, in my day, as l am telling it to
you.
In that large, old fashioned house,
which stands on the brow OF Beach
Hill, lived q very wealthy gentleman,
called Judge Cushman.
say he lived there, but he only
spent part OF the year in the little
town OF S., for his business kept
him in the city during the winter
months; but as soon as the warm
days came the house would be opened,
and he would ride through the town
in his big coach, drawn by four horses
and driven by colored coachman.
The Judge was q widower, and lived
alone with his servants and an old
housekeeper. So you may imagine the
surprise of thevillagers one day earlym
the spring OF 1872. when they heard
that Squire Cushman, as he was called,
had brought home with him q lovely
young girl.
At first all thought that he had
married again, but soon the report
was circulated that his niece had
come from England alone, with only a
maid to attend her, to visit him. And
a long visit we all thought it would be-
for war had just been declared with
Great Britain, and probably there
would be no friendly intercourse be-
tween the two countries for q long
time.
OF course all were anxious to see the
new conner, but none were gratitied
until the following Sabbath, when she
appeared at church with the old
Squire.
She was true English maiden, with
fair hair and lustrous blue eyes, and a
complexion in which lilies and roses
were sklllfully blended by natures
hand. She was the observed of all
observers" but bore herself modestly,
seeming unconscious OF the gaze of all
around her.
Many were the questions asked,
many the coniectures formed, as to
her presence in the lonely house so far
from home, and in an enemy's coun-
solved by the old housekeeper, who
divulged it as q secret to a friend OF
hers, an inve5erate gossip, who di-
vulged it a q gress secret to a friend
of hers. an inveterate gossip, who
soon made the affair the property OF
the whole reiahborhood.
Rose Cushman, the daughter OF the
snuire's only brother, was a mother
less child, and had grown to woma1
hood without knowing what it was ta
be refused the slightest wish, for she
had always been her fathers idol.
He mad planned in her early child
hood that she should marry the son OF
his most intimate friend.
Bat such designs are rarely accom-
plished. 1.-THE age OF nineteen Rose
met a young and gallant officer k,is
Majesty navy, and lost her - val
most at first sight. The affection was
reciprocated, and not dreaming any
obstacle, the lovers plighted their
troth with the fondest and brightest
hopes for the future.
But the iather of Rose sternly re.
fused to consent to their engagement.
and forbade Rose ever to see her lover
amir, R,t rears of indulgence had